We know that Northview people love to be in God’s Word and often ask for direction on different devotional apps and reading plans.

While there are several good options available through various sources, we’d like to encourage you to join in our Northview Devotional Guide which will guide you to read and reflect on the passages preached in our weekend sermons! We hope this will unite our congregation around the study of God’s Word, and help us to more readily absorb and apply the great teaching provided by our preaching pastors. Each week we’ll be providing a suggested schedule for working through a passage slowly (15 minutes a day). You’ll need a Bible and a notebook or blank paper to record your observations.

Each day we include a reminder to pray. If you are new to the Adoration / Confession / Supplication method, here are some questions to help guide you as you pray:

  • Adoration: What can you praise God for today?
  • Confession: What thoughts / attitudes / actions might you need to confess to God today?
  • Supplication: What will you ask God for today?
Printable Version

DAY ONE: The LORD addresses the courtroom

Read Mal 1:6-14 to familiarize yourself with this passage, and then focus on the first part of verse 6 (6a).

  • Who is speaking in this text and how is he described? (what title is given to him?)
    • What do you think his title suggests about his power or position?
  • Who is being spoken to in this text, and how are these people described?
    • What do you think it means to despise (ESV) or show contempt for (NIV) the name of the LORD?
  • Who is being honored in this verse?
  • Who is not being honored in this verse?

Pray in Confession and Supplication: In what ways do you not properly honor or fear the LORD? Ask God to help you search your heart attitudes and actions so that you can confess them.

DAY TWO: The Charge

Read Malachi 1:1-5. 

  • The priests ask two questions in these verses. What are they?
  • What are God’s answers to these two questions?
  • According to these verses, what does it look like for the LORD’s table to be defiled?  
  • Read Leviticus 22:17-25.  What did God expect the people and priests to offer? 

Pray in Confession and Supplication: What kind of offering is required Christians (see Romans 12:1-2)? What would it look like to present yourself as a holy and acceptable, living sacrifice?

 

DAY THREE: A Comparison

Read Malachi 1:8b-9

  • In this text, the LORD says that the priests would not dare treat human authorities with the disrespect that they show God.  Which human authority does he identify?
  • What is the nature of the LORD’s question in 1:9? (Is this a real question or a rhetorical question?)
  • What answer do you think is implied, when the LORD asks this question?

Pray in Confession and Supplication:  Are you more concerned about honoring and pleasing earthly authorities, or the LORD? Ask God to help correct your thoughts and your actions.

DAY FOUR: A Drastic Solution

Read Malachi 1:10-12

  • What solution does God propose in verse 10?   
    • Can you imagine if God said to Northview, “Oh that you would shut your doors, I have no pleasure in your worship!” OUCH  
    • Read 1 Corinthians 11:17-18, and Revelation 2:4-5, 2:14-16, 2:20-21, 3:1-3, 3:15-18.   What actions cause God to disapprove of churches in these verses?  
  • In 1:11, what does God say will happen despite the failure of His people?

Pray in Adoration: Reflect on the greatness of God’s name! Who is He according to the  scriptures? How can you praise Him for His character and His actions today?

 

DAY FIVE: God confronts the underlying attitudes

Read Malachi 1:13-14

  • What is the underlying attitude of the people towards God according to verse 13?
  • What does God call those who give Him an unworthy sacrifice in verse 14?
  • What does the LORD affirm about who He is in verse 14?
  • What are the implications of who He is? What will happen among the nations?

Pray in Confession and Adoration!  Are there times that you have felt it is a ‘burden’ or ‘weariness’ to serve the LORD? Praise His name in order to remember that He is a great King!!!